Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-23
TIE SHAFTS PHYSICIAN.

Il no more Shiver with the cold.
!, -keningale Cook in Temple Bal.
TIE SHAFTS PHYSICIAN.
believe without being entirely sure Of
that the events 1 am about to narrate too
place at the court of the shah of Persia
It also strikes me although l could nj
state it positively as a fact that the dat
must have been somewhere in the neighbol
hood of the year 1890.
Having thus done something toward fixin
the time and place of my story, l will furthe
remark that the particular shah of Persi
with whom this veracious history has to dc
was a widower with an only son, a prince o
elegant manners who had passed his lot
birthday. This worthy shah also rejoiced il
the possession of a grand vizir, an arrogan
and ambitious person, and a physician VIII
may not inaccurately be described as a yer,
sly fellow.
The grand vizir could not brook tn
to look his superior in the face without laugh
ing.
The physician was the husband of a charm
| ing woman: indeed the most charming of thu
entire court, and, it was asserted, the mos
| couuettish. Needless to add that the physi
clan spent many unhappy hours in conse
| quence, and the "green eyed monster" had
taken possession of him wholly.
At t e period at which this narrative begins
court circles had become considerably agitated
by two events Of a strikingly different char.
acter; the marriage of the grand vizir and
the illness OF the shah's son.
The grand vizir was on the point Of mar.
rying again, and had selected a very beauti-
full woman Of his W country to assist in
hiding from his gaze the frightening shadows
on the down hill of life. But although he
was 40 the bride in prospect was only II.
AS to the young prince, he had been sick for
two months, very sick. Pale, thin, nerveleS,
silent, it made one feel bad only to look at
him. He had no appetite and could get no
sleep. 1t was narrowing.
The curious part of the case was, that in
the presence of this strange disease medical
skill seemed to be altogether at fault. In vain
had the physician made the young MAJ hold
out his tongue, felt his pulse, and had ever
resorted to auscultation. but was ausculta-
ton practiced in 1900! However, I said I
wasn't sure about the date) No lesion of any
of the organs could be discovered. The
heart, the liver, the lungs were all in excel
lent order.
And still the prince wasted away from day
to day before their eyes.
His good father for there are good men
even among the shahs) was racked by
anxiety. He called the physician before him.
doctor" be said, you took the usual de-
grees at Teheran; you are considered skillful
in -FOUR profession: you are in command of
all your faculties; it amt be possible that you
are ignorant of the disease that has attacked
my son. Perhaps you are keeping it from me
through fear of frightening me; but I must
know the truth, and l command you to reveal
It to me-. Speak! l am listening"
"Great shah" replied the physician, II am
glad that l shall be able to satisfy you. lido
your sons disease"
"Oh, you do! And it is
1Love..'
"Doctor, are you jestingT
u was never more serious in my life, great
The youth has lost his appetite, his
his spirits, because he's in love; and
be will recover neither appetite, sleep nor
spirits until he is married to the roma he
"And who is the woman he loves?'
"Ah! that I can't tell your highness. I am
ignorant Of her name, as the young |
nan has never made me his ~confdant." -,
"Well, I shall question him myself"
II doubt whether he will part with his |
SBut if he won't tell me" said the shah. in |
,reat pe1plexity, "how can I marry him to |
he woman of his choice. and il I don't marry |
Jim to the woman of his choice what will be-
,ome of my son!"
He will slowly fade away aud die"
@You make me shudder."
"Let your hiGhness be comforted. PLY.
have ways of discovering what they
Wish to discover, even when patients are
Before evening I shall be able to
nform you that l am acquainted with the
of the fair one that has thrown so pow
rful a spell over the unhappy boy"
And how will you set about doing it?"
"Nothing could be easier. This is your
rand vizir's wedding day, and there will
.onsequentIy be a splendid reception this
vening in the palace. All the ladies of the
curt, without exception, will be present.
ii I ask of you is to make them pass one by
LAG OAOAC sOoA SOAs l 1 Slo1l ny Ills SlQSs |
nd, apparently by accident, will take his
and in mine and hold it in such a way as to
my finger lightly on his pulse. Be sure,
reat shah, that when the loved one passes
him shall be warned Of the fact by
q increase in the pulsations."
"Your plan is admirable, and when the ex-
is ended you must come and tell me
le maiden's name"
highness may rely upon me-"
@And you are quite sure the possession Of
le girl will save my o life"
Il will risk my own on it."
Everything went of according to pro-
ANNE. The great reception hall Of the
lace was crowded with people The entire
'urt was present; there was not a single alb
ntee. The physicians charming wife made,
i usual, a decided sensation. She even
ipsed toe beautiful girl the grand vizir had
at day married.
The shah, seated on his throne, had on his
,ht the young prince, pale and melancholy.
1e physician stood next to the prince and
Id in his one of his patients hands. F,
The shah announced to his court that he
as about to do those present the unspeak-
lie honor Of allowing each one to kiss his
nd. The announcement Of this act Of SOW I
eign condescension was received with indie
-ibable enthusiasm. {
The march past began, the ladies coming !
st, the men following.
Of course, it will be understood that in de- {
ng before the shah the company was CON-
lied to pass before the prince, as the latter I
IS seated at his fathers side. q
When the ceremony was over the shah 10 S
ed to his private apartments. and at onoa f
mmoned the physician. d
The latter came, but with downcast coun. S
nance and unsteady gait r
The shah, not noticing the change in bis Q
pearance, exclaimed: 4
We'll, doctor7" n
We'll, your highnen, the experiment was l
n
Then you know the name Of tho r
that has kindled in my sons bosom p
IS overpowering passion!" b